Lyons

Florence, Alabama native Sidney E. Lyons, Jr. is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. He began his military career after receiving his commission through the ROTC program at the University of Tennessee. He has served as a scout master with the Boy Scouts of America and is himself, an Eagle Scout. Sid has lived in Huntsville since 1997 and his current interest is as an artist and sculptor. His art focus is on Native Americans and military scenes. He is married and has two children.

On June 19, 1967, he received the Silver Star for Gallantry in action while serving with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. After learning that two of his unit’s helicopters had been shot down and ground forces were critically low on ammunition he loaded a helicopter with a re-supply of ammunition and braved a murderous barrage of enemy fire to land and unload the supplies. He then hovered his aircraft along the front line and extracted seriously wounded men until his aircraft could not possibly hold any more men. This action saved the lives of many of the engaged ground forces and the two downed aircrews. Sid was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two awards of the Air Medal with Valor during his service in Vietnam.